From September, with the entry into force of the latest phase of Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne’s (Open VLD) reform plans, prison sentences of 6 months to 2 years will be carried out
For several years, prison sentences of up to three years were rarely carried out due to a lack of space in prisons. In particular, they were replaced by electronic monitoring.
According to Minister Van Quickenborne, however, this "impunity" is one of the reasons for the high reoffending rate and therefore also for prison overcrowding. He has therefore gradually reintroduced the actual execution of shorter sentences in recent years, even if the reform has been delayed.
Since last September, prison sentences of between two and three years have been executed, and this will also be the case for sentences of less than two years from 1 September. The Minister also wants to abolish sentences of less than 6 months, he said at the start of the legislature.
To carry out these sentences, the Justice Department has opened new detention centres, smaller in size and with a lower level of security, where prisoners are supported in their reintegration into society. The new Haren and Dendermonde prisons have also opened their doors.
